Cycle World tests TE449

By sl350, Posted December 7, 2010

I received my January issue of Cycle World yesterday. They wrote a review of the TE449. They were not very impressed. I've been putting off buying a TE for three years now. I thought the TE449 was the answer. Almost makes me want to pick up a leftover TE450.

Anybody read the test? Do you suppose the problems they mentioned can be fixed with a little tweaking?

Chuck

By Ride, Posted December 7, 2010

I received my January issue of Cycle World yesterday. They wrote a review of the TE449. They were not very impressed. I've been putting off buying a TE for three years now. I thought the TE449 was the answer. Almost makes me want to pick up a leftover TE450.

Anybody read the test? Do you suppose the problems they mentioned can be fixed with a little tweaking?

Chuck

Have not seen it, what did they not like?

By rj133, Posted December 7, 2010

It was just a ride impression not a full test. They said it felt heavy and handled similar to a Honda XR 650. They liked the previous 450 better.

By sl350, Posted December 7, 2010

I should have brought the article to work and pasted it here. Sorry. As I recall, they said it pushed pretty bad and felt heavy. Suspension was real stiff. Bounced around a lot. Said it handled ok for a dual-purpose bike but not so much for an enduro racer.

By Some Dude, Posted December 7, 2010

I'm certain they TE can be tuned to any use you'd like, however I can't wait to weigh on on the same scale with a G450X, I'm pretty sure the HSQ will be a tad heavier unfortunately.

By jjm525, Posted December 7, 2010

By rj133, Posted December 7, 2010

So this is the same platform being used for the TC 449? I will be interested to see what a magazine like MXA says about the bike if they can get a test unit.

By Ride, Posted December 7, 2010

I remember reading this prediction...

"the maintenance of the Husky is cumbersome."

Heck, I remember WRITING it!

you also spouted lots of other random crap like the motor would suck and everyone says it rules. Also if the filter takes 2 minutes more to change but stays clean twice as long your wrong in your assessment it takes more time. I think you went on and on about the centric CS which seems to be working great for most and reports of stellar stability and tracking in the nasties. Did you care to comment on the test where is tied the Berg and was just shy of the KTM on a first year effort or do you reserve you comments only for negativity?

By HuskyRips, Posted December 7, 2010

I received my January issue of Cycle World yesterday. They wrote a review of the TE449. They were not very impressed. I've been putting off buying a TE for three years now. I thought the TE449 was the answer. Almost makes me want to pick up a leftover TE450.

Anybody read the test? Do you suppose the problems they mentioned can be fixed with a little tweaking?

By sl350, Posted December 7, 2010

Oh Man! I've been reading this forum for three years and finally decided to post something. It seems all I accomplished was to add more fuel to jjm525's fire. Am I banned now?

By Ride, Posted December 7, 2010

Oh Man! I've been reading this forum for three years and finally decided to post something. It seems all I accomplished was to add more fuel to jjm525's fire. Am I banned now?

you are good, post away.

By HuskyRips, Posted December 7, 2010

Oh Man! I've been reading this forum for three years and finally decided to post something. It seems all I accomplished was to add more fuel to jjm525's fire. Am I banned now?

Why would you be banned? I was just responding that the CycleNews story was based on the Italian Press launch and not an actual real test like the one in the German publication.

No problem post away.

By stroker, Posted December 7, 2010

I have never felt that the press (and many riders whom have never even ridden the bike) were being fair to the BMW G450x. It has to be one of the most underrated bikes out there. it is VERY different, it has a lot of cool features, and a few not so great ones too ( In my opinion).

I have put over 1,000 km and completed four tough cross country races on a 2010 G450x, it has been a great bike. one race had a deep river crossing, the high airbox allowed it to cross when many others watered out. I raced a GP event with a good MX section, as long as you hit the proper landing downslopes, it worked fine, even on big air (that race was a blast, everyone was watching the BMW fly). It regularly makes hill climbs other bikes do not, it has amazing traction and hook up, I often pass stuck riders.

The bike is very easy to ride, super friendly power. great brakes, easy electric starting. I have 5 buddies that race them, all are A level riders, they are all holding up fine. The warranty has covered any breakages (any other bikes offer that?). They feel lighter than they are, hook up is amazing. And they are street legal....

One of the mags ( think it was Dirt Bike) ran one against a KTM 450, they said the bikes were similar, each had small pluses and minuses. I felt that assessment was the best and most accurate I had seen yet. Most like to slam the bike.... even when they have never ridden it??? Recently Dirt rider said it was better out of the crate than the KTM 450EXC or Last generation Husky.

The new Husky should be the next step in the evolution of the BMW design. I think it will be a good bike, like every bike it will be better at some things and not as good at others. Lets all be a little open minded here. Let the bike arrive, learn how to set it up and give it an honest evaluation before we take it out back and shoot it.

If we always hammer every builder that makes something different, we will stop innovation. No one will want to risk new designs and new ideas, we will keep getting the same old stuff....

i am a little tired of the same old same, lets have some new ideas please. Maybe it will change the sport forever for the better. (someone had to be first with all the stuff we take for granted now...)

By racemx904, Posted December 7, 2010

think yo need to take all these shootouts with a grain or two of salt...hell KTM didnt start getting decent reviews until just recently...to me it sounds more like some suspension setup time is needed...but not to many bikes dont need it...and he sharp edges I think are the humps in the fender around the fuel cap...and that is knit picking....hard seat dont bother me...

By Ride, Posted December 7, 2010

I have never felt that the press (and many riders whom have never even ridden the bike) were being fair to the BMW G450x. It has to be one of the most underrated bikes out there. it is VERY different, it has a lot of cool features, and a few not so great ones too ( In my opinion).

I have put over 1,000 km and completed four tough cross country races on a 2010 G450x, it has been a great bike. one race had a deep river crossing, the high airbox allowed it to cross when many others watered out. I raced a GP event with a good MX section, as long as you hit the proper landing downslopes, it worked fine, even on big air (that race was a blast, everyone was watching the BMW fly). It regularly makes hill climbs other bikes do not, it has amazing traction and hook up, I often pass stuck riders.

The bike is very easy to ride, super friendly power. great brakes, easy electric starting. I have 5 buddies that race them, all are A level riders, they are all holding up fine. The warranty has covered any breakages (any other bikes offer that?). They feel lighter than they are, hook up is amazing. And they are street legal....

One of the mags ( think it was Dirt Bike) ran one against a KTM 450, they said the bikes were similar, each had small pluses and minuses. I felt that assessment was the best and most accurate I had seen yet. Most like to slam the bike.... even when they have never ridden it??? Recently Dirt rider said it was better out of the crate than the KTM 450EXC or Last generation Husky.

The new Husky should be the next step in the evolution of the BMW design. I think it will be a good bike, like every bike it will be better at some things and not as good at others. Lets all be a little open minded here. Let the bike arrive, learn how to set it up and give it an honest evaluation before we take it out back and shoot it.

If we always hammer every builder that makes something different, we will stop innovation. No one will want to risk new designs and new ideas, we will keep getting the same old stuff....

i am a little tired of the same old same, lets have some new ideas please. Maybe it will change the sport forever for the better. (someone had to be first with all the stuff we take for granted now...)

Excellent post for a real world prospective. Thanks.

By sl350, Posted December 7, 2010

Thanks 'Ride' and 'Husky Rips' for your show of support. I feel vindicated.

My two sons (ages 16 and 19) have Yamaha WR250R's. I want to join them off-roading. I won't be doing any enduro racing so if this TE449 falls more into the dual-purpose category, it might be perfect for me.

Sign in

Similar Content

THIS WAS MOUNTED TO MY 2015 HUSQVARNA TC250. I PURCHASED A FACTORY HUSQVARNA UNDER BAR MOUNT STABILIZER SO I DON'T NEED THIS ONE ANYMORE. THIS STABILIZER FITS UNDER YOUR NUMBER PLATE OUTTA SIGHT. GREAT FOR THE MOTOCROSS OR OFF ROAD RACER THAT WANTS TO KEEP THE FRONT END A LITTLE LESS TWITCHY. HELPS YOUR ARMS NOT GET ARM PUMP AS FAST. THIS IS THE SAME DAMPER YOU SEE ON HONDA MOTOCROSS BIKES (CRF) HAS ADJUSTMENT KNOB SO YOU CAN ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF DAMPING YOU NEED AT DIFFERENT TRACKS. THANKS FOR LOOKING. GO TO THIS EBAY PAGE FOR FITMENT TO YOUR MOTORCYCLE: https://www.ebay.com/itm/263512002497?ViewItem=&item=263512002497#vi-ilComp

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Rider Starts his Quest to Defend Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
March 15, 2018 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pablo Quintanilla will re-start his 2018 international rally racing campaign on March 24 to 29 at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in the United Arab Emirates. Working hard towards returning to full competitive fitness following a foot injury sustained during the closing stages of the Dakar Rally, Pablo’s teammate Andrew Short is expected to join the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing squad at the 2018 Merzouga Rally in mid-April.

With the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge playing host to the opening round of the 2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, the event in the UAE will see Pablo Quintanilla begin the defence of his FIM Cross-Country World Championship title. Securing eighth overall at the 2018 Dakar Rally in January, the Chilean rally star is already looking forward to a solid return to racing aboard his FR 450 Rally machine.
Successfully wrapping up his debut participation at the prestigious Dakar Rally with a top 20 result, Andrew Short has been recuperating from a fractured tibia and fibula on his lower right leg. Resuming his training sessions in the middle of March, the American has his eyes set on making a return to racing at the Merzouga Rally on April 15/20, in the dunes of Morocco.
Celebrating its 28th edition in 2018, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is a six-stage-long rally taking place in the southern part of the United Arab Emirates. Kicking off with the traditional Super Special Stage on Saturday, March 24, the event will continue with five more days of racing in the Liwa Desert before competitors reach the finish line inside the Yas Marina circuit on March 29, 2018.

Pablo Quintanilla: “Abu Dhabi will be our first race after the Dakar and I’m really looking forward to it. It’d be good to start the season carrying the #1 plate on my Husqvarna as the reigning champion. With it being the first race for the new season, it is important for everybody. My goal is to get a good race pace from the beginning in order to be inside the group of leading riders. The season will be long and my plan is to continue improving my pace as the racing goes on. I want to get back my racing speed and also remain strong throughout the event in Abu Dhabi. Taking place in deep sandy dunes, the Desert Challenge is always a tough event and it is also highly probable that we will have to race in high temperatures. It’s going to be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it.”

Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.
Husqvarna Motorcycles are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna Motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Mattighofen, Austria since 2013.
Rockstar Energy Drink
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit: www.RockstarEnergy.com
Source: Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH

Hey,
Looking for some Wiring Harness, Connections and Installation assistance for installing a Tusk Universal Under the Fender LED Taillight with Brake Light on a Husqvarna 2017 TX300
The UTFLight comes with a plastic connector that would work with the tusk enduro lighting kit which i'll be removing so that I can plug into the stock harness.
I've been told the stock harness is the same as what would be included on the TE Model, minus the actual headlight/taillight being present; which is the case for the headlight wiring . it's all there ready to go. For the taillight/brakelight however there is a bit more to be done. There are NO wires running to the rear of the bike or within the SubFrame as some have noted
I'll need to run to existing wires, and could use some guidance for which connectors are needed, if a supplementary harness is required(if so which one) and which wires to connect to on the existing harness. There is very limited info in the manual (for either bike: TE/TX) or complete color harness diagram with info and connector information anywhere that I could find.
I also picked up the Tusk Brake Switch Banjo bolt for the Brembo brakes (two wire, bullet connectors) - https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/docs/Brake switch instructions.pdf
On the Brake side under the front/bottom of gas tank near radiator there is an existing connector (I think for radiator fan) and from it, two unused wires, I would say for tapping into the existing harness. 1 Solid Brown, 1 Yellow/Red -
Shifter side, near the bottom rear of tank I found taped up cylinder style connector (Someone can enlighten me) i think switch wires ? maybe some terminator, each with the same color wire in as out. One is Gray/Black and the other White/Black
Under the cdi box is a three plug connector with two wires, 1 Brown and 1 White, third unused- i was hopeful this could be the tail light connector but am unsure
Help on harness, connector names /types and setup is very much appreciated

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my streamlined version of the BOZZA DRAFT shop manual for the 610. I've removed everything but the english language & made it easy to find what you're looking for. I re-wrote the part about the computer with many thanks to Xfool but I'd like a little proof reading here. In particular I'm not real sure about the Service Interval section. If any of you would be willing to double check what I've got here & report back with any errors or omitions I'd be greatful. (I added another section on adding & removing screens) Also I don't know if it's legal to post this for public consumption but I'd be happy to share it with anyone who want's a copy.